Tray for stacking of cups and the like



Feb. 20, 1968 R. ETTLINGER, JR 6 TRAY FOR STACKING OF CUPS AND THE LIKE.

Filed May 18, 1966 FIG 1 P 6. if lNVENyR. 1

United States Patent 3,369,659 TRAY FOR STACKING OF CUPS AND THE LIKE Ralph Ettlinger, Jr., 1370 Lincoln Ave. S., Highland Park, Ill. 60035 Filed May 18, 1966, Ser. No. 551,040 6 Claims. (Cl. 206-72) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A tray for the supporting of cups of the type having an open mouth at one end and a closed bottom at the opposite end comprising a flat sheet having a plurality of projections extending from one face of the sheet dimensioned to receive the mouths of the cups with corresponding recesses being formed in the opposite face of the sheet for receiving the bottoms of cups located at a separate level in a stack of the trays. The projections define a hole which is punched through the'projections to provide an outwardly extending edge portion spaced apart from the bottom surfaces of the recesses whereby the bottoms of the cups will be maintained in spaced apart relationship relative to these bottom surfaces. Upstanding ribs extend crosswise between the projections for supporting the mouths of the cups, this arrangement providing access openings to the interiors of the cups and cooperating with the outwardly extending edges at the bottoms of the recesses to provide for eflicient drying.

This invention relates to an improved tray construction type commonly used in restaurants and cafeterias or in other large establishments requiring the use of large numbers of oups.

Trays have previously been designed which are suitable for the stacking of cups. One such tray is defined in applicants Patent No. 2,941,663, issued on June 21, 1960. Cups are adapted to be placed on trays of this type and thereafter, loaded trays are adapted to be placed one on top of the other. The trays are designed-whereby the mouths of the cups can be received around projections formed in one side of the trays. When another tray is stacked on the loaded tray, recesses formed on the other side of the tray in the area of the projections will receive the base of the cups. This arrangement provides stability whereby the stack is less likely to tip.

The trays can be used for storage of the cups after cleaning. In addition, the trays are suited for the transporting of cups either in the inverted position or in the upright position when filled with liquid. The presence of the recesses in the latter situation decreases the likelihood of spilling of the liquids due to sliding of a cup off of a tray.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved tray structure for use in the storage and transporting of cups whereby the cups are adapted to be maintained in a most efficient manner.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a tray construction of the type described which is uniquely suitable for the drying of cups subsequent to a washing operation.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a tray structure having relatively high strength and dura- 3,369,659 Patented Feb. 20, 1968 bility as well as having means for easily separating the trays from a stack.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a tray structure which is formed of a material tending to resist the formation and growth of harmful bacteria.

.These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, specific embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view illustrating the novel tray construction;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional viewtaken about the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1; and,

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional View taken about the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

The tray construction of this invention is formed of a relatively rigid, structurally strong, non-fibrous, water re sistant flat sheet. A preferred material for the formation of the tray comprises a high heat impact polystyrene. Such material can be obtained with a bacteriostatic agent incorporated therein. A combination of this type provides an ideal manufacturing material 'for the trays since food handling is involved.

The particular tray structure comprises a substantially rectangular sheet having rows of projections extending away from one face of the sheet. The projections are dimensioned whereby the mouths of cups can be located around the projections. In this connection, the tray structure of this invention is characterized by critical dimensional limitations whereby cups of different designs can be accommodated. Specifically, standard cups having a wide mouth and a narrower base are adapted to be readily associated with the trays of the invention. In addition, the so-called ship cups which have a mouth narrower than the base are also adapted to be carried by the trays.

Recesses are defined between opposite faces of the trays in positions corresponding to the projections. Such recesses are dimensioned to receive thebase portions of the cups. Accordingly, when one tray is placed over another loaded tray, the upper tray will be securely positioned due to the receipt of the cup bases in the recesses. Similarly, cups placed in an upright position on a tray are placed with their base portions in the recesses to prevent any sliding action of the cups across the tray surface whereby spilling is minimized.

'Upstanding ribs are formed on the side of the tray surface defining the recesses. These projections are engaged by the mouth of a cup when it is placed on a tray. This provides access to the interior of the cup. In accordance with this invention, these ribs are dimensioned whereby the cup rims are spaced from the bottom surface by an amount suflicient to avoid the formation of a water seal. The projections, on the other hand, are sufiiciently higher than the ribs to provide for holding of the cups in position.

An important feature of this invention involves the provision of holes at the centers of the projections. These holes, in combination with the upstanding ribs, provide contact of air with portions of the cups which are otherwise inaccessible. This greatly facilitates drying of the cups when they are placed on a tray subsequent to a washing operation. In this connection, the holes are formed by punching through the material forming the tray, the punching operation leaving an outwardly extending edge around the holes whereby the cups are automatically held in spaced-apart relationship with the bottom of the recesses to permit proper air contact.

The drawing illustrates a tray construction characterized by the features of this invention. The construction comprises a top face 12 having a plurality of projections 14 extending outwardly therefrom. Each of the projections is interconnected by means of upstanding ribs 16. When a cup is placed on the tray, the cup sits on these ribs and is, therefore, held away from the tray surface.

Additional rib members 18 extend away from the sides of the projections around the periphery of the tray. Furthermore, a rim 20 is formed in the tray, this rim being characterized by a return edge 22. It will be noted that the projections, ribs and the rim can be formed in the tray in a single molding operation.

The bottom surface 24 of the tray defines recesses 26 in the locations of the projections 14. When using the trays for the stacking of cups, the open mouth of each cup is fitted around a projection 14 while the base of each cup is received in a recess 26. As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, this arrangement permits stacking of one tray on top of the other with a minimum use of space.

Cups are often stacked in the manner described immediately after removal from diswashing equipment, and it is, therefore, desirable to provide the most efficient drying conditions. If air circulation is restricted by the tray structure, then the drying will be necessarily prolanged, and it is very possible that some areas of the cups will not be properly dried, leaving undesirable water stains.

The tray structure of this invention provides holes 28 in the center of each projection 14. As shown in FIG- URES 2 and 3, these holes provide access to the bottom of the cups whereby air contact with this area can be achieved. This greatly improves drying efficiency since the bottom of the cup often acts as a well with a pool of water being formed in this area.

The holes 28 are preferably formed through the use of punching dies which enter from the top surface 12. This operation leaves an outwardly extending edge 30 around the holes whereby the cups will be held in spacedapart relationship with respect to the bottom surface of the recesses 26. The outwardly extending edge 30 is easily formed, and plays an important role in the use of the trays since virtually all of the bottom surface of the cups is exposed for air contact. The punching operation comprises an operation separate from the molding of the trays; however, the additional expense has been found to be completely worthwhile in View of the improved efliciency of the trays.

In forming the holes 28, it may be desirable to form a serrated edge with the punching tool to provide openings through the edge 30. This will increase air circulation and promote drying.

The return portion 22 around the edge of the trays is an important feature particularly when the trays are not in use. Naturally, the trays can be stacked on top of each other without any cups between the trays. With the return portion 22, such trays can be readily separated since it is easy to grasp the edge of the tray because of the presence of the return portion. In this connection, it is important that the return portion extend only partially downwardly. The return portion should not extend more than one-half the distance of the tray to provide room for the fingers in grasping the tray. This return portion is also of importance since it provides a strengthening feature from the standpoint of resistance to bending forces.

The ribs 16 and 18 are raised from the tray surface by about A inch. This provides sufficient spacing whereby the capillary action of water will not form a water seal and cut off air circulation. The projections 14 are from about two to three times higher than the ribs to provide sufficient height for holding the cups.

As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, the tray structure can accommodate cups of the so-called ship type as well as standard cups. The dimensions of the recesses 26 and the projections 14 are carefully selected whereby the smaller open mouth of the ship cup as well as the larger mouth of the standard cup can be received by the projections at the same time that the respective bases of the cups are received by the recesses.

The trays are formed of a relatively rigid structurally strong, non-fibrous, water resistant sheet. High heat and high impact polystyrene comprises an ideal material for the formation of the trays. An added feature of the trays of this invention comprises the incorporation of a bacteriostatic material within the polystyrene. This chemical combination minimizes the formation of fungus, bacteria and mildew on the trays. This is, of course, extremely important in view of the fact that the trays are employed for the handling of containers used for liquid consumption.

It is also important to note that the trays of this invention are ideally suited for the carrying of cups filled with liquid. Thus, the recesses 26 receive the cups when the trays are inverted from the position shown in the drawing. These recesses greatly reduce the possibility of spilling the contents of the cups since they tend to prevent movement of the cups on the tray surface.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the above described constructions which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly as defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. Individual trays for the support of a plurality of cups having an open mouth at one end and a closed bottom at an opposite end, said trays comprising a relatively rigid, structurally strong, non-fibrous, water resistant flat sheet, a plurality of projections extending in one direction from one face of the sheet and the centers of said projections being spaced apart one from the other by an amount greater than the major cross-sectional dimension of the cups, said projections being dimensioned to have a width considerably greater than their height and having inclined side walls to provide recesses in the opposite face of the sheet, the dimensions of said recesses being sufficient to receive the closed bottoms of cups of the type having a base portion larger than the mouth portion as well as of the type having a mouth portion larger than the base portion, said projections being dimensioned for receiving the mouths of the cups about the projection, each of said projections defining at least one hole punched into approximately the center of the projections, the punching operation leaving an outwardly extending edge portion around the holes spaced apart from the bottom surfaces of said recesses, and upstanding ribs formed in the sheet to extend crosswise between the projections and on which the mouths of the cups rest when positioned about the projections to thereby provide access openings to the interiors of the cups when the one side of the tray is uppermost and the cups are inverted for storage with the mouths of the cups extending downwardly about the projection and with the bases of the cups extending upwardly to be received in nesting relationship within recesses of the tray next above, said outwardly extending edge portions defining said holes engaging the bottoms of the cups and holding said bottoms in spaced apart relationship relative to the bottom surfaces of said recesses, and when the other side of the tray is uppermost, to provide support for said cups when in position of use with the mouths of each cup uppermost and with the bases of each cup seated within recesses, the combination of said outwardly extending edge portions and said ribs permitting free circulation of air within the interiors of said cups.

2. A tray as claimed in claim 1 including additional rib members extending outwardly from the projections adjacent the side edges of the tray to assist the first mentioned ribs in providing access openings to the interior of the cups.

3. A tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein the peripheral edge defines a return portion to thereby strengthen the tray against bending forces.

4. A tray as claimed in claim 3 wherein said return portion extends a distance not more than one-half the thickness of the tray to thereby facilitate gripping for removal of a tray from a pile.

5. A tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein a bacteriostatic plastic is employed in forming the tray structure.

6. A tray as claimed in claim 2 wherein said rib members extend away from the surface of the tray approximately inch, and wherein said projections are two or three times as high as said rib members.

6 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/ 1936 MacChesney 20665 6/1960 Grant 217-265 6/ 1960 Ettlinger 206-72 8/1960 Brown 11914.47

12/ 1960 Ettlinge'r 20672 3/ 1961 Melville.

FOREIGN PATENTS 5/1964 Canada.

RAPHAEL H. SCHWARTZ, Primary Examiner. 

